22 Best Barbeque Restaurants near El Cerrito

“TL:DR -
I'm definitely going to go back 😀

We tried #18 (Loco Moco) and #1 (Hawaiian BBQ Mix).

Gravy (way) too salty. I'd ask for half as much.
My partner got an extra side, since the BBQ Mix was a dry rub.

Order at the counter ‼️

I had multiple issues with the touchscreen menu 💢 and then finally had to order at the counter anyway.“

“I recently had the Lau Lau…it was delicious. I need another one. I’ve been coming here for about six months now. I was a bit apprehensive due to the few complaints, so when I initially went I went in person. It’s a grease spoon hole in the wall and I love it. The Chinese food is good too. Always tastes fresh. Ordered my girls fries from here too. I almost ate them all, like y’all gotta share lol. Anyways, I gave a 5 stars. That’s rare for me. Staff is serious and nice. I appreciate their mood…no bs and good food. Keep up the good work Frannies. Thank you!!“

“Cute little restaurant. We ordered cucumber salad, bbq chicken set and bbq char siu set. Everything tastes so good. Very very high food quality. A lot of flavors. The spicy and numbing cucumber salad is the BEST I have had in the US. Not exaggerating.

It’s counter service and they have discounts for cash. Staff is very friendly. Great neighborhood restaurant for everyday eats. Would come back again when we are in Berkeley next time.“

“Overall rating: 4.5/5

Delicious skewers, would definitely come back!

I really liked:
- Lamb Skewer
- Lamb Rib (not the large one, was a little salty but very good)

Pretty good:
- Chicken Skin Skewer
- Chicken Heart Skewer
- Roasted Eggplant
- Smashed Cucumber
- Boiled Potatoes w/ Chili Sauce

Would probably not order again:
- Beef Skewer — Perfectly fine, but not as fatty / tasty as the Lamb Skewer.
- Pork Belly Skewer
- Fried Bun — Pretty crispy outside and much larger than a typical fried bun, my preference is just smaller buns.
- Pancake w/ Beef and Sliced Beef in Chili Sauce — Slightly on the sweeter side.“

“Popped in for lunch to check out the newly opened H&T and loved it. The brisket was delicious with a side of Vaquero beans that packed plenty of flavor as well. I could see the bar is well stocked with a great selection of spirits as well as a bunch of quality local beers on tap. Points as well for having a quality N/A offering. I received fast and very friendly service. Looking fwd to visiting again soon and wish this new business the best of luck as it was obvious that plenty of heart & soul is invested at heads & tails.“

“These have to be the best ribs I’ve had in a long time.“

“The most tender brisket I may have had anywhere. 🥰🥰“

“Happy Hour tacos and beer today! The al pastor and brisket tacos pictured were so juicy, tender, and flavorful! 100% recommend! Definitely coming back! 🔥😋“

“Mashita Galbi Jjim, located on Polk Street in San Francisco, is a cozy Korean eatery known for its signature dish, the galbi jjim (braised short ribs). This dish, priced at $66, is a standout. It features tender short ribs served in a bubbling pot, accompanied by carrots, tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes), and a melted cheese topping caramelized with a blowtorch. It’s hearty and perfect for sharing, as one order easily feeds three to four people. The plump mandu (dumplings) are also recommended as a complementary side dish.

The atmosphere is informal, making it a great spot for casual dinners. However, the restaurant’s popularity can result in wait times, particularly during peak hours, such as evenings and weekends. Some patrons have noted slower service during busy periods but praised the staff's friendly demeanor despite being overwhelmed. The interior is compact but comfortable, with simple yet functional decor.

Mashita Galbi Jjim is praised for its authentic flavors and high-quality ingredients. Other menu options include pork tonkatsu and beef plates, but the galbi jjim remains the star. For those seeking a satisfying, shareable meal with bold Korean flavors, this restaurant is a solid choice. If planning to visit during dinner hours, arriving early or expecting a wait is advised.

While some diners have commented on service challenges during peak times, the generous portions and flavorful dishes make it a must-visit for fans of Korean cuisine.“

“great food great price you will be back“

“Chef Horn, is something special💯“

“Orders the following for a total of $33.
Sausage link: 5/5 seasoned and cooked well with your choice of sauce.

Brisket chili: 3/5 chunky full of meat but lacks flavor.

Mac & cheese: 3/5 cheesy but lacks flavor

*** idea I tried - mix the chili with the mac and cheese - still lacked flavor.

they put their foot in them greens

Potato salad: 5/5 very good!“

“Every single meat cut was cooked to perfection!! The menu is also designed very balanced, with vegetables and steamed eggs between meat courses to balance out the flavors. Chris helped us grill the meat and he’s such a delight to chat with!“

“This place has the best 90s pop playing, and the staff are friendly and generous (we got some complimentary tastings). The beef bbq, army stew, and kimchi fried rice were yummy. No matter what day or time their service is consistently good and they seem to enjoy their work :) Thanks for being my new favorite neighborhood spot!“

“las personas muy amigables con los niños...comida riquísima y muy buena presentación“

“Picked up dinner twice this week. Delicious.“

“On my way to the Bayfair farmer’s market I saw a guy bbq out on the sidewalk today. After the market, I decided to stop and long behold I found this place! 😄. had the delicious “Thank Que bowl and lumpia”. So fresh, tasty and delicious! I will be back.....thank u Chef Rene!“

“The smoke salmon is absolutely delicious“

“Vowed to myself I ain’t leaving Sanfo this time without trying this place. And it didn’t disappoint. Ambience is immaculate. Service was topnotch. And the food is DIVINE. Definitely worth coming back to. I hope they open a branch in LA.“

“Good food, great place for duck, Asian BBQ pork and BBQ ribs etc. Large amount of menu items. Their egg Foo young is amazing. Picture is their wonton and egg noodles with Peking duck pretty good. 11.00+ unfortunately, they haven’t allowed dine in since the start of the Covid pandemic. Prices have also raised $3.00 plus per item since then .“

“The BBQ ribs were straight up, slap yo mama in the face frickin good. I give the food at this place a rating of 9.9 out of 10, and I am very picky when it comes to food. From now on, I will be making trips across the bridge just for the BBQ. #MyNewFavoriteResturant#“

“This was not my first visit to Jong Ga House, and it is most certainly not my last. I frequent Jong Ga House when I’m craving korean bbq that reminds me of home.

I have celebrated several birthdays amongst my friends here because it is perfect for large groups and they even throw in a birthday discount ($22.99 for the birthday person), two scoops of ice cream, and they play happy birthday through the speakers across the restaurant! They never fail to provide excellent, attentive service as well as authentic Korean bbq that keeps you wanting more.

This is also one of the more affordable all you can eat (AYCE) kbbq spots in the East Bay. Lunch & happy hour (9pm-11pm) is $29.99/person and dinner is only $32.99. Compared to other spots that charge nearly $50/person and often have slower service or marinades that don’t quite capture traditional Korean flavors, Jong Ga House knocks it out of the park in every category.

I especially love that they offer Mul Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup) and bibim naengmyeon (spicy buckwheat noodles) on the AYCE menu. These noodle dishes pair perfectly with freshly grilled Kalbi, so it is always a delight to be able to order one of these with my meal here. Mul Naengmyeon is always served with a side of hot mustard and vinegar to mix in to taste. It is such a refreshing dish that brightens your whole meal, make it as spicy or as sour as you want! Pro Tip: Be sure to cut your noodles into smaller pieces, they are super-duper chewy!

Everything here is an absolute hit, but you have to try their Kimchi Pancake, Caramelized Fried potatoes, and, of course, the corn cheese! (Usually I order one of each per 2 people) You don’t have to worry about filling up too fast on the sides—the portion sizes are thoughtful, and you can always let them know if your table wants more or less of a serving.

In addition to their banchan (complimentary side dishes that you can refill at most Korean restaurants), they also offer Booricha (roasted barley tea) which helps to cut the grease of some richer meats, like pork belly and intestine.

Beyond the food, the stellar service has kept me coming back. During one of my first visits, I came with a party of eight, and one of our friends was vegetarian. The staff kindly let her order from the regular menu while the rest of us enjoyed the AYCE KBBQ + hotpot combo.
(FYI: the hotpot add-on is available for parties of 5+ for just $10 more.)

It’s the little things that they continue to do that make them my favorite Korean bbq spot in the east bay. Come give this small business a visit and eat your heart out!“